Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maid-of-the-Mist #2
- Type: Excursion Steamer
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Niagara River, Niagara Falls, ON
- Official Number: #2189
- Original Owners: Maid of the Mist Co.
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Maid-of-the-Mist #2 was a wooden steamer designed for sightseeing excursions, featuring paddle-wheels that allowed it to navigate the waters of the Niagara River.
Description
The 1892 Maid-of-the-Mist was one of two large wooden steamers operated by the Maid of the Mist Co. It offered sightseeing excursions into the Niagara Gorge and was a significant part of the tourism experience at Niagara Falls.
History
The Maid-of-the-Mist #2 served from 1892 until its destruction in 1955. It was part of a fleet that provided excursions to visitors, showcasing the natural beauty of Niagara Falls.
Significant Incidents
- Final Fire: On April 22, 1955, both the Maid-of-the-Mist #2 and its sister ship were destroyed by fire while docked for seasonal maintenance.
- Casualties: No casualties were reported in the incident.
Final Disposition
After the fire, salvage was deemed impractical, leading to the removal of both vessels. The Maid of the Mist fleet transitioned to steel, diesel-powered vessels by mid-1955.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the Maid-of-the-Mist #2 are no longer present, as the vessel was removed following the fire. Historical records and images of the incident are preserved in local archives.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maid-of-the-mist-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Maid-of-the-Mist #2 marked the end of an era for wooden steam-powered vessels at Niagara Falls, symbolizing a shift towards modernization in the tourism industry.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
(Niagara Falls excursion steamer, launched 1892)
- Final Location: Niagara River, Niagara Falls, ON
- Loss Date: April 22, 1955
- Cause: Destroyed by fire at Canadian-side docks
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel History & Role
The 1892 Maid‑of‑the‑Mist was one of two large wooden steamers operated by the Maid of the Mist Co. It featured paddle-wheels and offered sightseeing excursions into the Niagara Gorge. It, along with its sisterboat of similar design, formed the core of the fleet from 1885–1955 (Wikipedia, niagarafallsinfo.com).
Final Fire – April 22, 1955
- Incident: Review of historical records confirms both #2189 and her sister were gutted by fire on April 22, 1955, while docked for the season’s preparatory maintenance (Maid Of The Mist, niagarafallsinfo.com, nfexchange.ca, niagarafrontier.com).
- Aftermath: With salvage deemed impractical, both were removed and the fleet switched to steel, diesel-powered vessels by mid‑1955 (niagarafallsinfo.com).
Significance & Legacy
- The loss marked the end of an era: the last wooden steam-powered Maid‑of‑the‑Mist boats were destroyed, prompting a fleet renewal and modernization effort.
- The fire remains a pivotal moment in Niagara tourism history—symbolizing the transition to modern vessels while preserving the legacy of steam-era sight-seeing.
Visual & Archival Evidence
- Contemporary images show the fire-ravaged hulls at the Canadian dock, now preserved in the Niagara Falls Public Library archive (nfpl.historicniagara.ca).
- Local historian sites and heritage museum articles reaffirm the date, cause, and loss without casualties (niagarafrontier.com).
Summary
- Name: Maid‑of‑the‑Mist #2
- Built: 1892 (wood-steam paddle)
- Service years: 1892–1955
- Destroyed: April 22, 1955, by dockside fire—no casualties
- Aftermath: Entire wooden fleet retired; steel, diesel ferries introduced later that year